Credit spree alleged after cardsstolen from woman’s house

A MAN charged by police investigating a spate of burglaries at Stockton allegedly went on a spending spree with stolen credit cards, a Newcastle bail court has heard.

Rhys McKinley, 27, of Fullerton Street, Stockton, could be clearly seen making a series of Paywave purchases captured by security cameras at Westfield Kotara on Monday, a police statement said.

He and another man are accused of making purchases totalling $630 at Coles Marketown and a number of stores and vending machines at Westfield Kotara between 6.30am and 7.30am on Monday, the statement said.

The cards were stolen from a Stockton woman’s home when her car was stolen some time on Sunday night, or Monday morning.

Newcastle police began an investigation into a number of burglaries at Stockton and came upon a group of people in the yard of a Maitland Street home at 1.30am on Wednesday.

The group fled, but Mr McKinley was found shortly after hiding near a car. He denied being involved in the burglary, but admitted he was involved in making fraudulent purchases with the credit cards, the statement said.

When police searched Mr McKinley’s backpack they found latex gloves, large iron scissors and some property that had been purchased with the cards.

He was charged with three counts of fraud and single counts of possessing housebreaking implements, possessing stolen property and travelling in a stolen car.

Police later arrested another man, 21, and charged him with four counts of fraud in relation to the Sunday night break in.

He was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.

A third man, 31, was arrested as part of the operation and charged with an outstanding warrant for breach of bail.

Mr McKinley was refused bail on Wednesday. No pleas were entered and the case was adjourned to Monday.